PLUS: BASEBALL

PLUS: BASEBALL; Marlins Send Millar To the Red Sox

Published: February 16, 2003

Kevin Millar was obtained by the Boston Red Sox in a cash deal with the Florida Marlins yesterday after the Japanese team he agreed to sign with last month released him from his contract.

The Marlins received an undisclosed payment for Millar, 31, a first baseman-outfielder.

Millar, who led Florida with a .306 batting average last season, agreed in early January to a two-year, $6.2 million contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League. The Marlins released him in exchange for a $1.2 million payment from the Dragons. Millar, who was being pursued by the Red Sox, then changed his mind about playing in Japan, saying his family did not want him to leave at a time of possible war with Iraq.

After talks with Major League Baseball officials, the Dragons released Millar on Friday for an undisclosed payment, the commissioner's office said. One of the negotiators said the amount would be $1.2 million to $1.5 million.

Theo Epstein, Boston's general manager, said the Red Sox were not involved in the discussions to free Millar from the Dragons.